Jing Yu didn't know exactly when Ji Xia entered the city. She suddenly heard his voice, and then, as she turned to see him, she was struck by his heroic and handsome figure, causing her heart to race like a startled deer.
For a moment, she didn't know what to do.
On the side, Huai Shuang, who had finally seen the young man Jing Yu spoke of so often—the handsome and capable Lord of Tai Cang, felt a slight surprise.
"I thought the young man Jing Yu always mentions would be a handsome lad, but this one is not only good-looking, but his cultivation is also commendable. It's rare to see someone at such a level in a place like Tai Cang, especially considering the snowy mountains where he's honed his skills," Huai Shuang thought, old-fashioned in her way. She nudged Jing Yu, who was standing dazedly by her side. Jing Yu snapped out of it, her face turning crimson. She quickly bowed and greeted Ji Xia, "L-Lord… Lord of the Kingdom, all peace to you."
Ji Xia turned to look at Jing Yu with a gentle smile. "Ah, it's Jing Yu! It has been quite a while," he said warmly.
Jing Yu's face turned even redder, like two pieces of ripe peaches. She bit her lip, her brows filled with joy. "It has been a long time since I've seen Lord of the Kingdom. After the last time, you haven't come to South Qing Street," she said, her voice soft.
Ji Xia smiled. "Work has kept me busy, and I haven't had time to wander aimlessly. But I did have your brother bring you a few sets of clothes, all in the royal women's style. I hope you're satisfied with them?"
Jing Yu's nervousness eased somewhat when she heard Ji Xia still remembered these small details. She turned in place, holding back her shyness. "As for the clothes, my brother brought them back, and I really do like them. I've always been reluctant to wear them, but today, as we welcome the return of Tai Cang's army, I decided to wear them," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ji Xia finally noticed her outfit: a soft yellow-green silk gown paired with a grass-colored skirt, with a thin veil draped over her shoulders. The attire accentuated her smooth, fair skin and her graceful figure. Anyone who saw her would undoubtedly admire her beauty.
"You look absolutely lovely in that dress," Ji Xia remarked, his gaze full of admiration. "Since I gave them to you, you should wear them more often. Don't just save them."
Jing Yu felt an immense joy at his praise, nodding lightly, murmuring, "I understand, Lord of the Kingdom."
Ji Xia exchanged a few more words with Jing Yu, and it was then that the elderly Bi Wu finally regained his composure. The young man who had greeted him just now, exuding confidence and charm, was none other than the Lord of Tai Cang. Bi Wu was about to kneel to offer his respects.
Ji Xia immediately stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Bi Wu, you don't need to kneel to me at your age. You bear the royal insignia of the Bi Wu badge, and it's actually me who should be greeting you," he said warmly.
Bi Wu shook his head resolutely, trying to break free of Ji Xia's grip. "I could have chosen not to bow, but my bow is not because of my age. It is a gesture to thank you, Lord of Tai Cang, for saving the lives of all the people of Tai Cang from the claws of the Jiu Xian people," he said, his voice steady despite his age.
Bi Wu was over a hundred years old, but his mind was still sharp. He spoke clearly and without hesitation.
Ji Xia smiled and shook his head. "What are you saying? I'm the Lord of Tai Cang; these duties are mine to fulfill. If the Jiu Xian had invaded Tai Cang, I too would have been captured or worse, suffering far worse than death. There's no need for thanks for fulfilling my responsibilities."
Bi Wu frowned slightly. "I can't agree with you on this. Tai Cang, whether in this vast wilderness or this small territory, has always been under constant threat from a few barbarian nations. For our survival, the efforts of our people are just part of what we do. Shouldn't the Lord of the Kingdom be thanking them?"
Ji Xia chuckled softly, releasing his hold on the elderly man.
Bi Wu shakily knelt, and those around him tried to help, but he refused to be assisted. He slowly lowered his head and bowed deeply to Ji Xia.
After the bow, Ji Xia quickly helped him back up and patted the dust off his white robe.
The elderly man straightened up, tidied his appearance, and his tone turned serious. "After thanking you for your great deeds, I must ask you, Lord of Tai Cang, a question. Just how is this war against the Jiu Xian worth it?"
"We have been cultivating in Tai Cang for many years, carefully training an army of just over ten thousand. Now, with the Jiu Xian and Crocodile Horns fighting each other, we only need to watch them destroy each other. Why should we sacrifice the lives of our people for such a meaningless cause?"
Bi Wu's question hung in the air, and Ji Xia listened quietly, the surrounding silence almost deafening. It felt as if all the citizens of Tai Cang, kneeling nearby, were waiting for an answer.
After finishing his question, Bi Wu looked at Ji Xia's companions, Ji Qianqing and Po Xian, nodded to them, then hesitated before speaking again. "How is it that only you, the Lord of Tai Cang, and General Ji have returned? Have the other two thousand men all perished?"
His voice trembled, as if he would burst into tears the moment he received bad news.
Ji Xia quickly reassured him. "The other soldiers are still marching. We three were simply the first to return, eager to be home. Don't worry, Bi Wu. Generals Rong Lu and Meng Yan are leading the way; there is no danger."
Bi Wu relaxed slightly, though there was still a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
Ji Xia paused thoughtfully, then looked around and asked, "Bi Wu, what do you think makes it worth it?"
Bi Wu sighed deeply. "Please don't be upset or angry with me. Like many others, I simply cannot bear to see Tai Cang's people die in vain..."
Ji Xia's tone suddenly became serious. "Tai Cang has suffered centuries of oppression and abuse. It seems we've lost our drive to advance... or perhaps, Tai Cang has never had the will to progress."
Bi Wu was stunned but didn't argue, instead listening quietly.
Ji Xia continued, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "The people of Tai Cang, many of them lack ambition. Even I have thought that if we could simply live peacefully in one corner of the world without fear of death, it would be the greatest blessing. But I ask all of you here, is that possible?"
"In this endless wasteland, filled with danger at every turn, even if the Jiu Xian and Crocodile Horns fight and weaken each other, does that mean Tai Cang will be safe?"
"No, it does not!"
"Without the Jiu Xian, there's the Zhou Qing. Without Zhou Qing, there are even larger, more vicious nations, who see weaker races as nothing more than grass."
"Even if we avoid these, in the future, we may face a passing god sneezing while crossing the Great Emperor Mountain, or a monster suddenly feeling hungry—these things happen, and Tai Cang's survival in such a world is far from guaranteed!"
Ji Xia's companions, Po Xian and Ji Qianqing, were lost in thought. What seemed like absurd hypothetical situations to some were real occurrences recorded in many ancient texts.
Long ago, a dragon god flying near the Chong River Valley sneezed, and the spiritual power in the sneeze destroyed a nation, turning it into a barren land for hundreds of years.
Such stories were numerous in the boundless wilderness, though they were often called myths and legends, almost no one doubted their truth.
Ji Xia's voice cut through the silence. "Therefore, Tai Cang needs to grow."
"Tai Cang cannot stand still, content with merely peaceful relations with the Jiu Xian and Zhou Qing."
"Our eyes must be on the distant future. The royal court is now focusing on solving the people's basic needs, but once that's done, we will focus on martial arts development, so that everyone in Tai Cang can cultivate and become a cultivator!"
"Only by growing stronger step by step can we face more challenges. My war against the Jiu Xian is not just for plunder or revenge. It's to raise the awareness of our people, to shift their mindset, and to make them realize that Tai Cang will eventually grow strong, unafraid of any threat, and crush all our enemies into the dust!"
Ji Xia stood tall and spoke with unshakable confidence, as if his words were not just a burden for a weak kingdom like Tai Cang, but a concrete development plan, one that could be achieved in the near future. He made it seem like Tai Cang would thrive and prosper, no longer the small and weak kingdom it once was.
His confidence felt innate, as if it were a divine gift, and it resonated with everyone present!
Po Xian, listening silently to Ji Xia's words, suddenly knelt, deeply bowing his head in respect.